Elements and Performance Criteria

General context
Work must be carried out in compliance with relevant rules and regulations.

Work is performed relatively independently under broad operational requirements, with accountability and responsibility for self and others in achieving the prescribed outcomes. It involves the application of a significant range of search and rescue coordination principles and techniques across a wide and often unpredictable variety of maritime emergency contexts. Contribution to the development of a broad plan or strategy for the coordination of marine search and rescue operations is required.

Work requires significant judgement in planning, technical and leadership functions related to search and rescue operations and procedures.

Worksite environment
Vessel may include any Australian or international commercial vessel.

Search and rescue operations may be carried out:
by day or night
under any possible weather and sea conditions
as sole vessel in the operation
in conjunction with other vessels, aircraft and other parties.

Party in distress may include:
vessel(s) in distress
person(s) in distress in sea
person(s) in distress in survival craft
ditched aircraft.

Distress signal or request for assistance may originate from:
vessel(s) in distress
person(s) in distress in sea
person(s) in distress in survival craft
ditched aircraft in sea
observer on a vessel at sea
land-based source
request from a search and rescue centre.

Co-ordination of search and rescue operations may include:
receiving and relaying instructions from search and rescue authorities
establishing the required organisational arrangements and chain of command
establishing and maintaining a communications net
communicating with others in the chain of command
establishing position of distressed person(s), vessel or aircraft
developing a plan of action for the search and rescue operations
implementing contingency plans
evaluating progress information on the search and rescue operation
making operational decisions concerning the operation
receiving and/or giving directions to others during the operation
maintaining accurate records of the operation and its outcomes.

Signals and communications may be by radio and/or visual methods and may be maintained with:
party in distress
search and rescue authorities
other vessels
aircraft
other parties involved in the rescue.

Special handling techniques required during a rescue may include:
assisting a vessel or aircraft in distress
towing operations
launching rescue boats and survival craft
taking on board survivors from rescue boats and survival craft.

Sources of information/documents
Documentation/records may include:
instructions of relevant Australian and/or international search and rescue authorities
IMO/ICAO International Aeronautical and Maritime Search and Rescue Manual (IAMSAR).
relevant regulations and codes
operational orders
navigational charts
vessel's log
company procedures
vessel manufacturer's instructions and recommended procedures
ISM Code safety management system plans, procedures, checklists and instructions,(where relevant)
instructions of relevant Maritime Authorities
relevant Australian and/or international standards.

Applicable International, Australian and State/Territory regulations and legislation
Applicable procedures and codes may include:
relevant international, Australian and/or State/Territory search and rescue conventions and regulations
relevant regulations and codes
International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea
relevant international, Australian and/or State/Territory OH&S legislation.

Critical aspects of evidence to be considered
Assessment must confirm appropriate knowledge and skills to:
Recognise and respond to distress and emergency calls
Interpret the requirements of the IMO/ICAO International Aeronautical and Maritime Search and Rescue Manual (IAMSAR) when participating in a real or simulated search and rescue operation
Assist in the planning and coordination of real or simulated search and rescue operations in conjunction with search and rescue authorities and other relevant parties
Manoeuvre vessel safely during a real or simulated search and rescue operation
Identify typical search and rescue problems and take appropriate action
Communicate effectively with search and rescue authorities and others during real or simulated search and rescue operations
Record the search and rescue incident accurately in accordance with company and international and Australian regulatory requirements.

Interdependent assessment of units
This unit of competency must be assessed in conjunction with other mandatory units that form part of a job role of the master of a commercial vessel.

Required knowledge and skills
Knowledge of relevant regulations and codes for various types and sizes of vessels
Awareness and understanding of the role of a vessel's master when involved in search and rescue operations as described in the IMO/ICAO International Aeronautical and Maritime Search and Rescue Manual (IAMSAR)
Relevant OH&S legislation, codes of practice, policies and procedures
Search and rescue techniques and procedures
Responsibilities when coordinating search and rescue operations
Chain of command and organisational requirements used in search and rescue operations
Sequence of action to be taken upon sighting or receiving a distress signal or a call for assistance
Procedures for fixing the position of a distress signal or call for assistance
Drift patterns of disabled vessels and survival craft in relation to wind and current
Types of distress and emergency signals and types of response required in each case
Maritime communication techniques applicable to search and rescue operations
Typical search and rescue problems and appropriate action and solutions
Principles involved in determining the duration and scope of a search
Types of search patterns and their application
Effects on vessel handling of wind, currents and bottom topography
Typical manoeuvring and engine characteristics for vessels of 500 gross tonnage or more, including stopping distances and turning circles at various draughts, speeds and loading
Constant rate of turn techniques
Mandatory knowledge and skills in personal survival techniques, fire fighting and fire prevention required of all seafarers.

Resource implications
Access is required to opportunities to either:
participate in a range of role plays, case studies and other simulated practical and knowledge assessments that demonstrate the skills and knowledge to assist in the planning, coordination and conduct of a search and rescue operations, and/or
assist in the planning, coordination and conduct of a suitably-simulated search and rescue operation, including possible operation of a suitable vessel simulator over an appropriate range of simulated search and rescue situations.

Consistency in performance
Applies underpinning knowledge and skills when:
assisting in real or simulated search and rescue operations
identifying and evaluating search and rescue problems and determining appropriate courses of action
identifying and implementing improvements to procedures when assisting in search and rescue processes
applying safety precautions relevant to search and rescue operations.

Shows evidence of application of relevant workplace procedures including:
relevant regulations and codes
OHS regulations and hazard prevention policies and procedures
ISM Code and associated vessel's Safety Management System and procedures (where relevant)
relevant manufacturer's guidelines relating to the use of equipment, including instructions on equipment capability and limitations
search and rescue procedures
environmental protection during search and rescue operations.

Action taken promptly to report and/or rectify accidents and incidents arising during search and rescue operations in accordance with statutory requirements and company procedures.

Work is completed systematically with required attention to detail.

Context for assessment
Assessment of competence must comply with the assessment requirements of the relevant maritime regulations.

Assessment of this unit must be undertaken within relevant marine authority approved and audited arrangements by a registered training organisation:
As a minimum, assessment of knowledge must be conducted through appropriate written/oral examinations
Appropriate practical assessment must occur:
at the registered training organisation, and/or
on an appropriate working or training vessel.